Brief history behind Independence Day

On July 4. 1776, the United States officially declared its independence from Great Britain.

The nation’s founding document is fittingly named the Declaration of Independence, and it outlines how the then-13 colonies should no longer be subjected to England’s colonial rule.

“It’s a list of grievances against the king,” said Ben Gates, senior lecturer in history at Purdue Fort Wayne.

Mia Pettigrew from WANE 15 sat down with him to discuss the importance of the holiday.

Hear what Gates had to say.